Local Labour unanimously opposes Syria bombing

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

The following statement has been sent to the HebWeb by Cllr Susan Press on behalf of Calder Valley Constituency Labour Party

Calder Valley Constituency Labour Party voted unanimously at its meeting this week to join with our Leader Jeremy Corbyn in opposing the Prime Minister's plans to bomb Syria. This decision followed a discussion on the lessons we should learn from previous involvement in the Middle East and the consequences of military action.

Peace Vigil in Hebden Bridge on Saturday, 28 November, 2015.
Photo: Mike Barrett

We share the worldwide horror at the atrocities committed by ISIL/ Daesh and  recent tragic loss of life in Paris and brutal murders of thousands in Syria and beyond in recent years. But  we do not believe this Government's strategy will do anything to make the world a safer place – it can only serve to radicalise and fuel fundamentalist terrorism.

The experience of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya shows that Western military interventions lead to large scale casualties, devastating destruction and huge flows of refugees.

Peace Vigil in Hebden Bridge on Saturday, 28 November, 2015.
Photo: Mike Barrett

We believe the case for UK involvement has not been thought through and will only increase the humanitarian crisis and increase loss of life. The current rush to bomb Syria following the terrible events in Paris risks a dangerous escalation which will inflame the war there and increase bitterness against the West.

The US has been bombing Isis for a year and admits that Isis is as strong as ever and has continued recruiting. We also urge the government to stop arming reactionary and aggressive regimes like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that sponsor terrorist groups and look for political solutions as the only viable way to end the conflict.